Pronunciation

dagny

Dec. 24, 2023

Pronunciation has always been a pain point for me in learning English. I have many systematic pronunciation issues, especially when distinguishing sounds like /æ/ and /e/, /r/ and /l/, /o/ and /u/, /ʊ/ and /u/, /ɑː/ and /ʌ/, /ɪ/ and /i/ (these are the two sounds I dislike the most in English because my mouth and tongue refuse to cooperate with them), /ŋ/ and /n/, /m/ and /n/, and more. I've been told that my English will sound excellent as a non-native speaker if I work on these sounds. While I understand they are all systematic problems and am actively trying to improve, I don't think I am making any progress so far. I feel like mastering these sounds requires a ton of exposure and practice. Together, they represent a huge part of the sounds in English.

As an English language learner, I find it less intimidating to make mistakes in front of a native-speaking tutor in an online classroom setting. However, the idea of conversing face-to-face with a native English speaker always fills me with trepidation. My early efforts to initiate conversations with native English speakers and non-native speakers in real life were unsuccessful; if anything, they made things worse, as I invariably felt humiliated and misunderstood. Each time I spoke English, I cringed with embarrassment over my choice of words and felt self-conscious about, or even ashamed of, my pronunciation. I think things have been getting better since I started college this September, though. My major is English, and I've noticed that most of the time, my classmates can understand me when I speak English. Knowing that my speech is generally understandable boosted my confidence in speaking English.

I know that when conversing with native speakers, I shouldn't worry too much about making mistakes as English isn't my native language. I am well aware that any rational and well-educated native speaker would show understanding and appreciation for language learners' efforts. If they don't, they are probably just cunts. Still, knowing this doesn't bring about any changes. In my experience, even when people genuinely mean it, the encouragement and high praise they offer still come across as broad and perfunctory to me. People's kind words can indeed instill confidence in me, but they don't dispel embarrassment, fear, apprehension, or anxiety in the slightest. I wonder if it's the same for other language learners or merely because I'm too timid or lack a positive mindset.

en 1

Correct

Corrections

deux_ex_machina

Pronunciation

Pronunciation has always been a pain point for me in learning English.

I have many systematic pronunciation issues, especially when distinguishing sounds like /æ/ and /e/, /r/ and /l/, /o/ and /u/, /ʊ/ and /u/, /ɑː/ and /ʌ/, /ɪ/ and /i/ (these are the two sounds I dislike the most in English because my mouth and tongue refuse to cooperate with them), /ŋ/ and /n/, /m/ and /n/, and more.

I've been told that my English will sound excellent as a non-native speaker if I work on these sounds.

While I understand they are all systematic problems and am actively trying to improve, I don't think I am making any progress so far.

I feel like mastering these sounds requires a ton of exposure and practice.

Together, they represent a huge part of the sounds in English.

As an English language learner, I find it less intimidating to make mistakes in front of a native-speaking tutor in an online classroom setting.

However, the idea of conversing face-to-face with a native English speaker always fills me with trepidation.

My early efforts to initiate conversations with native English speakers and non-native speakers in real life were unsuccessful; if anything, they made things worse, as I invariably felt humiliated and misunderstood.

Each time I spoke English, I cringed with embarrassment over my choice of words and felt self-conscious about, or even ashamed of, my pronunciation.

I think things have been getting better since I started college this September, though.

My major is English, and I've noticed that most of the time, my classmates can understand me when I speak English.

Knowing that my speech is generally understandable boosted my confidence in speaking English.

I know that when conversing with native speakers, I shouldn't worry too much about making mistakes as English isn't my native language.

I am well aware that any rational and well-educated native speaker would show understanding and appreciation for language learners' efforts.

If they don't, they are probably just cunts.

Depending on dialect/country, this snetence could be a bit jarring or uncomfortable to read. You already maty know this though; just thought I'd say something!

Still, knowing this doesn't bring about any changes.

In my experience, even when people genuinely mean it, the encouragement and high praise they offer still come across as broad and perfunctory to me.

People's kind words can indeed instill confidence in me, but they don't dispel embarrassment, fear, apprehension, or anxiety in the slightest.

I wonder if it's the same for other language learners or merely because I'm too timid or lack a positive mindset.

Feedback

I understand! While it's nice to receive praise, I feel as though we are primed to remember negative remarks or passive signs of failure such as misunderstandings. I think it's normal, but we shouldn't internalize our failures either because that will lead to a loss of motivation to continue.

I will say, your writing is absolutely stellar and, in truth, better than some native speaker's writing for sure.

dagny

Dec. 27, 2023

Thank you so much for your corrections and thoughtful feedback, @deux_ex_machina! I appreciate your perspective on not internalizing failures.

Pronunciation